I have run a 1.9 TDI with DSG box since new in 05.  The car has now completed 130,000 miles and I have been a hugely happy owner.  I have kept the car because I cannot find any reason to change it.  However......

 

When the car is at operating temperature and at about a steady 50-60 I am getting an occasional stutter.  This feels like and engine misfire or a sudden clutch slip, I cannot tell which but think the former is more likely.

 

I have a fairly simple OBD scanner for VAG cars and it shows no codes.  About 5 months ago I changed the EGR valve after the classic caution light.  The gearbox has had the stated 40K services, the last was in August (about 2000 miles ago). 

 

Discussion on the forums talk of temperature senders, MAFs, etc, but I can see no difference in the indications that I normally get.  The only other problem with the car is a ventilation flap with a life of its own and only holds calibration for about 2 trips!

 

Any ideas?

 

Many thanks

OK, I am becoming more convinced this is a DSG problem as the box is occasionally holding gears (normally 2,3 and 4) for longer than it normally does.  I am shuddering at the cost of the big fix of the mechatronic unit. Anyone got any ideas what I can try first.  The oil and filter was changed only 3 months ago. 

 

 

Who changed the fluid? A cheap thing to check is the fluid level. Unfortunately the only way to check it is to overfill it and let the excess drain out at a specific temperature.

 

Other than that the issues are expensive to fix. If it was me with an 8 year old car with 130,000 miles I'd be seriously considering trading it in for something else while it is still drivable.  

The local VW specialist changed the oil and he has proven reliable for previous work.  I must admit I also feel the timing suggests some sort of tie in with the work done. 

 

You hit the nail on the head when you suggested a change, I put an order down on a new Yeti last weekend with the Octavia as a trade in.  It will sit in the garage as much as possible until the time comes....

The local VW specialist changed the oil and he has proven reliable for previous work.  I must admit I also feel the timing suggests some sort of tie in with the work done. 

 

The thought had occurred to me. However as a VW specialist did the work I imagine they follow the proper DSG oil change procedure, with very little chance of them screwing it up. So it's probably unrelated.

 

 

You hit the nail on the head when you suggested a change, I put an order down on a new Yeti last weekend with the Octavia as a trade in.  It will sit in the garage as much as possible until the time comes....

 

 Sounds like a plan!

It looks as if I have found the problem and thankfully it is not as bad as I feared. 

 

There is a hole in one of the lower pipes to the intercooler and this has been bleeding power delivery from the turbo.  With less power on tap the gearbox has been holding gears for longer and the leak has been causing the odd stutter in power delivery. 

 

I have taped over the hole as a temporary measure and everything appears to be back to normal.

 

The hole itself seems a perfect witness mark from a bolt on the gearbox to the front of the cowling over the mechtronic system.

 

I am back to being a very happy Octavia owner!